Forced Marriage Projecthttp://www.fmp-acsa.ca
Agincourt Community Services AssociationFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:15:08 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.4I WAS FORCED INTO A MARRIAGE, AND NOW MY SISTER/BROTHER WILL BE TOO. I DON’T WANT THEM TO GO THROUGH THE SAME THING, HOW CAN I GET HELP?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-was-forced-into-a-marriage-and-now-my-sister-brother-will-be-too-i-dont-want-them-to-go-through-the-same-thing-how-can-i-get-help/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-was-forced-into-a-marriage-and-now-my-sister-brother-will-be-too-i-dont-want-them-to-go-through-the-same-thing-how-can-i-get-help/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:15:08 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=52Have a conversation with your sibling and find out their true feelings. If you feel that you can approach your parents without putting yourself or your sibling at risk, initiate a conversation with them. If not, find a trustworthy third party to help you address the situation with your parents.

You may also want to seek legal advice, and counselling from someone with experience dealing with cases of forced marriage.

If your sibling is underage (under 16 years old), the situation must be reported to the Children’s Aid Society. This organization’s main purpose is to protect children.

]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-was-forced-into-a-marriage-and-now-my-sister-brother-will-be-too-i-dont-want-them-to-go-through-the-same-thing-how-can-i-get-help/feed/0I AM EXPECTED TO ARRANGE MY DAUGHTER/SON’S WEDDING, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF MY DAUGHTER/SON WANTS TO GET MARRIED. HOW CAN I TELL IF I AM FORCING THEM?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-am-expected-to-arrange-my-daughter-sons-wedding-but-i-dont-know-if-my-daughter-son-wants-to-get-married-how-can-i-tell-if-i-am-forcing-them/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-am-expected-to-arrange-my-daughter-sons-wedding-but-i-dont-know-if-my-daughter-son-wants-to-get-married-how-can-i-tell-if-i-am-forcing-them/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:14:45 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=50Have an open conversation with them and listen to what they have to say. Let them know your concern. Allow your daughter or son to freely disclose their feelings and thoughts. Arrive at a compromise. Leave the door open for further communication. Assure them that they will have a voice and a choice in deciding when and whom they wish to marry.

You would only be forcing your daughter or son if you do not ask for and acquire their consent. Do not tell them they have to be married. Ask them if they wish to marry. If they say no, respect their choice and revisit the issue again at another time. Never threaten them. Never make them feel guilty. Always approach your daughter or son with love, affection and respect. If you wish to give their photograph to a matchmaker or the potential family of a bride or groom, let your daughter or son know of your intention and ask them if they are comfortable with the situation. If they are not, then do not betray their trust.

]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-am-expected-to-arrange-my-daughter-sons-wedding-but-i-dont-know-if-my-daughter-son-wants-to-get-married-how-can-i-tell-if-i-am-forcing-them/feed/0WHICH CULTURES PRACTICE FORCED MARRIAGE?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/which-cultures-practice-forced-marriage/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/which-cultures-practice-forced-marriage/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:14:26 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=48Forced marriage has been practiced in most patriarchal societies at one time or another. It was practiced across Europe during the medieval period and continued to be practiced there well into the latter part of the nineteenth century, especially by those in the higher classes. In North America, “shot-gun” weddings were perpetrated into the twentieth century and forced marriage by religious leaders in polygamous sects is ongoing in both Canada and the US. In the Greater Toronto Area, forced marriages are known to affect women and men born in Canada and those born abroad. Ancestral backgrounds of victims range from South Asia, Europe, South America and Africa.
]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/which-cultures-practice-forced-marriage/feed/0IF I SUSPECT THAT I MAY BE TAKEN ABROAD TO GET MARRIED, WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-suspect-that-i-may-be-taken-abroad-to-get-married-what-can-i-do-about-it/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-suspect-that-i-may-be-taken-abroad-to-get-married-what-can-i-do-about-it/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:13:44 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=46If possible, do not go. If this is not an option, contact the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and provide them with the following personal information:

Your name

Date of birth

Passport details (number, city and date of issue)

A recent photograph

Overseas contact information

Names of people you will be staying with and your relationship to them

Currency- Canadian, as well as the local currency of the country you will be visiting

Cell phone

Photocopies of your passport, tickets, and other major identification

Important phone numbers of resources and contacts in Canada

If possible, leave a copy of the above information with a trusted friend or adult, as well, along with photocopies of your passport and tickets, and a recent photograph of yourself.

]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-suspect-that-i-may-be-taken-abroad-to-get-married-what-can-i-do-about-it/feed/0WHO CAN I TURN TO IF MY FAMILY DISOWNS ME?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/who-can-i-turn-to-if-my-family-disowns-me/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/who-can-i-turn-to-if-my-family-disowns-me/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:13:09 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=44You can reach out to teachers, trusted friends, and community organizations that work to end violence against women, or agencies that work with youth,or those that give crisis counselling.

Many organizations will be able to link you with support groups and help you to find shelters, housing, financial assistance and counselling. You may choose an agency or organization that deals specifically with individuals from your ethnic or religious background. Or you may choose an agency or organization that deals with a wider variety of individuals if that would help you to feel more comfortable.

Remember that many women and men who have faced forced marriage have gone on to live full and happy lives whether or not their family chooses to take them back. Only you can decide what is best for your own situation, but whatever you choose to do, make sure you have the support of someone outside your family.

]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/who-can-i-turn-to-if-my-family-disowns-me/feed/0WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL MY PARENTS THAT I DO NOT WANT TO GET MARRIED?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/what-is-the-best-way-to-tell-my-parents-that-i-do-not-want-to-get-married/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/what-is-the-best-way-to-tell-my-parents-that-i-do-not-want-to-get-married/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:10:13 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=42If your parents want the best for you, they will ask you whether you want to get married. If they do not and if you feel you are able to approach your parents without putting yourself atrisk, then sit down and have an open conversation with them stating your reasons for not wanting to get married. Listen to their concerns, suggest alternatives, and reassure them of your intentions. If your parents were raised in a different culture with different attitudes, let them know that you are not trying to be “something else” but to lead a productive and fulfilling life. Suggest that they talk to someone who shares their background but who also understands your concerns. If you do not know of such a person, contact agencies or organizations in the Network of Agencies Against Forced Marriage (NAAFM) found on this website, and ask someone there for a referral.

If you feel that your parents may not be open to having such a conversation, seek the help of a trustworthy family member who can help you to share this information with your parents. If that is not possible, seek counselling for yourself from someone who understands your parents’ concerns as well as yours.

]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/what-is-the-best-way-to-tell-my-parents-that-i-do-not-want-to-get-married/feed/0IF I RUN AWAY FROM HOME TO ESCAPE A FORCED MARRIAGE, HOW CAN I SURVIVE WITHOUT MONEY OR A PLACE TO LIVE?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-run-away-from-home-to-escape-a-forced-marriage-how-can-i-survive-without-money-or-a-place-to-live/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-run-away-from-home-to-escape-a-forced-marriage-how-can-i-survive-without-money-or-a-place-to-live/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:09:43 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=40There are many shelters and refuges in Canada that will provide you with emergency accommodation. There you will connect with a social worker who will help you to apply for permanent housing and any other resources that you may need.
]]>http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/if-i-run-away-from-home-to-escape-a-forced-marriage-how-can-i-survive-without-money-or-a-place-to-live/feed/0I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BEING MARRIED AGAINST MY WILL IS THE WILL OF GOD. IS THIS TRUE?http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-have-been-told-that-being-married-against-my-will-is-the-will-of-god-is-this-true/
http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/i-have-been-told-that-being-married-against-my-will-is-the-will-of-god-is-this-true/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 08:08:34 +0000http://www.fmp-acsa.ca/?p=38No, it is not true. All major religions are against forced marriage. Forced marriage is, in fact, against God’s will. Anyone who tells you otherwise is ill-informed, or wishes to scare you into accepting a forced marriage.
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